Eco-Fruit
Wisconsin fruit growers associations, six grower networks, private consultants, NRCS, the IPM Institute, a regional packing house, county Extension educators, and UW researchers are working with CIAS faculty, staff and students to build a sustainable and vibrant fruit industry in Wisconsin. Initiated in 2000, apple, cherry, berry and grape growers are innovating with environmentally-sound production systems, investigating market-based options, and publically-supported conservation initiatives that will help this industry re-tool for sustainability.
Field component
Three elements comprise the program's work in the field with growers. Coachinggives growers the confidence to try systems approaches to pest management based on sound data specific to their farms. Regular conference calls help growers to trouble-shoot during key intervention times. If you are interested in participating in the conference calls, contact Samuel Pratsch at 608-265-3637, spratsch@wisc.edu. Samuel can give you a user name and password to access our blogs and connect you to the conferencing service. Grower networksgive farmers additional support in making systemic changes on-farm. Access to new toolsmakes it possible for growers to learn the value of these tools in managing complex systems. Tools include in-field data collection methods and information management tools to help growers make sense of detailed pest information.
Training component
The program makes it a priority to provide additional professional development opportunities for farmers and other agricultural professionals. Every November, growers meet to talk about what is working and what could be improved in the program. From these sessions, faculty and staff are given direction on how to best serve growers. We are currently providing special training in pesticide application and the Stewardship Index' PRiME tool, and training new consultants to work in a coaching capacity with growers.
Participatory research component
Farmer direction of the program and involvement in research is critical to the program's success. Starting in 2009 based on grower interest, faculty expertise, and interest from the Xerces Society, CIAS is part of a team to explore the impact of native bees in orchards and to identify ways to conserve these native pollinators. More than 30 orchards are participating. CIAS is also working with wholesale apple growers and their packing house to meet sustainability goals.
Policy component
The program's long-term success depends on steady support for growers to make changes on their farms. Market-based incentives are taking a long time to be realized, so in the interim, federal conservation programs are helping to bridge the gap. CIAS is involved in policy development at the state and multi-state levels to support conservation programs for specialty crop producers who care about environmental quality improvement.
See our Journal of Soil and Water Conservation article.
Join us!
Want to reduce reliance on pesticides on your farm?
There are lots of places you can go for information on ways to reduce high-risk pesticides on your farm, and you just discovered an internet portal created especially for Wisconsin farmers to quickly find what you need.
Farmer networks and organizations
There may be farmers in your area who are developing creative solutions to pest management. Contact them for advice. Some groups have a web url. Check out this section for short-cuts to contacting them. Grower organizations have teamed up with consultants and the University of WI to reduce pesticides. Fruit and potato growers are invested in making a change.University & other government services
There are many public service providers that can assist you with publications on pest management options, lab services, workshops and training on pest management, or who may be engaged in research relevant to your business. Some of these researchers may be interested in conducting research with you on your farm.Farm services
Private service providers, such as crop consultants, can give you good advice and manage your crop pests for a fee. Your local farm supply dealership may offer consultant services to help you reduce risks from pesticides.
Want to let others know you use IPM on your farm?
Look for signs posted along county and township roads near McFarland, Omro, Antigo, Coloma, Plover, Hancock, and Grand Marsh.
Which pesticides are high risk?
The US Environmental Protection Agency regulates pesticides. In 1996, Congress required EPA to reassess our health and environmental risks from pesticides. To start this task, the agency sorted pesticides into three categories - high, medium and low risk pesticides. You can visit the EPA web site for these risk priority lists. (The lists are provided within the Federal Register link.) Since 1996, EPA staff are reviewing new information about pesticide risk and changing pesticide regulations to better protect our health. Organophosphates, a group of closely-related insecticides that affect the functioning of the nervous system, are the first pesticides to undergo review. Additional pesticides are currently under review.
EPA issued its final decision on Azinphos-methyl to phase out the remaining uses by September 30, 2012. EPA plans to further restrict phosmet(imidan)and will include risk mitigation on labels of phosmet products sold or distributed by the registrant after June 2008. Additional phosmet mitigation includes:
* lower seasonal maximum application rates
* prohibition of phosmet application until after certain high-exposure activities have occurred
* a 25-foot buffer zone around occupied dwellings for ground applications
* a 50-foot buffer zone around occupied dwellings for aerial applications
* health protective entry restrictions for pick-your-own operations
In June 2007, the EPA issued a draft list of 73 chemicals first in line to be screened for their potential to disrupt the endocrine system. An endocrine disruptor is a chemical that mimics hormones, blocks production of hormones, or decreases or increases the production of hormones in humans and animals.
Researchers have found that endocrine disruptors cause developmental and reproductive problems in certain fish and wildlife. For example, a large pesticide spill in Apopka, FL is linked to a declining alligator population. The alligators in this area have diminished reproductive organs that prevent successful reproduction. It is likely that endocrine disruptors cause developmental and reproductive problems in humans as well. Due to this concern, the EPA launched its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program in 1996. After much preparation, the EPA is nearly ready to begin screening.
The 73 chemicals on the EPA’s draft list were chosen based on their exposure potential. They are the chemicals that people and wildlife are most likely to be exposed to. The EPA notes that list “should not be construed as a list of known or likely endocrine disruptors.” Some of the chemicals on the list include: 2,4-D, captan, glyphosate, malathion, and phosmet. See the list.
What is Integrated Pest Management?
IPM is an approach to pest control that offers farmers and others with pest problems (like people who manage buildings and parks) a means to reduce the risk from the pesticides they apply. IPM is a sustainable approach that helps farmers combine the use of pest prevention, avoidance, monitoring and pest suppression strategies, minimizing economic, health, and environmental risks. An IPM approach to pest management requires the manager to take a systems approach to managing pests. This is a site-specific activity, not something that a farmer can do using a "cook book" approach. Management-intensive pest control is specfic to the crops involved. IPM in tree fruit differs from IPM in berrries. IPM in fresh market vegetables may differ from IPM used in raising vegetables intended for processing. IPM in raising field crops like corn and soybeans will differ if the farming system also includes animals or the farm simply raises cash grain. Cornell University offers a Primer on IPM.
Why would I want to take a systems approach to pest management?
It can save you money, time, health problems and other grief. It can also make farming more fun. Agriculture is part of the larger natural systems around it -- the water cycle, the nutrient cycle, and the cycles of other living things such as plants, animals, insects, even other human cycles. By thinking of agriculture as part of these other systems, it is possible to take advantage of them to make farming more profitable and productive. This requires more intensive management and a working knowledge of how all these cycles work in harmony. It takes a good eye to recognize when they are in dis-harmony and to recognize why they are working against each other. Design your farm to take advantages of natural cycles and minimize friction between your farm management system and natural systems. You will be glad you did.
Who sponsors this site?
This site is made possible by Wisconsin agricultural organizations that know reducing high-risk pesticides is both possible and desireable. Reducing pesticides is possible because farmers and researchers are continually searching for better ways to manage pests. Reducing high risk pesticides is desirable because high risk pesticides can have unintended negative affects on our health and environment.
A number of agencies also support the University of Wisconsin's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems work on pesticide reduction. They are:
- US EPA - Minor and Specialty Crops IPM Special Projects: “Pesticide reduction in WI fruit production,” 2006-2009
- USDA Special Projects pesticide reduction grants, 2002-present
- Center for Agricultural Partnerships, in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters: “EQIP for apple growers,” 2005
- American Farmland Trust, in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency – Region V: “Pesticide Risk Reduction in WI Apple/Fruit Production,” 2004-2007
- USDA SARE PDP: “WI Eco-apple production education and outreach,” 2004-2006